Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-24
CHAPTER xxx.
A DAY OF BLOOD.

The 18th Of June was bright summer
day Our party in the jail were making
merry with games aud songs, utterly TN
suspicious Of immediate injury. But one
of our number, looking ont Of the win
dow, saw squadron OF cavalry approach
ing and called attention to it. There was
nothing unusual about this, for we often
noticed bands of troops on the streets;
but they now halted TT our gate and sur
rounded our prison. This was unusual
and startling
The doors down stairs opened We
heard the shuttle of feet in the hall and
the cliuk OF officers sabers as they
assembled the stairway. We held our
breath in painful attention, while they
paused at our door, unlocked and threw
1t open, and then one of the number,
stepping before the others read the names
OF the seven tried mt Knoxville. They
were ordered to respond and stand in
line before him, which they did Robin
son was sick with fever, but n guard as
sisted him to rise, and he stood with the
rest. Then they were NIL told to follow
over into the opposite room, while the
Tcnnesseeans there were brought in re-
turn 10 us.
With throbbing hearts we asked one
another the meaning of these strange pro-
ceedings. Some supposed our comrades
were about to receive their acquittal;
others, still more sanguine, that they
would be paroled, preparatory to an ex-
change. But we had no confidence in
these suggestions even while we made
them. 1t would not have been necessary
to surround the prison for such purposes;
and the faces of the officers who had en-
tered our room were solemn and stern.
was sick, too, having suffered good
deal recently with malarial fever, but
rose to my feet oppressed with unutter-
able fear-the most deadly / ever remem-
Der feeling A half wittcd fellow who
had been put in with the Tcnnesseeans
came TO me aud wanted to play game of
cards. ! had been fond of the game, but
never played it after this day. Now |
struck the greasy pack from his hand and
babe him leave me.
From over the way we heard the sound
OF voices muflied and iudistiuct because
Of the two iron doors between; then the
opening and shutting of doors, the passage
Of several persons up and down the stair
way, and last the sound as of solemn
reading.
A little while after--I cannot Judge Of
the length Of time spent in such fearful
agony--the ministers In the other room
think it must have been more than an
hour--the door opened and our comrades
came back, one by one; but the change in
them was fearful Ny own friend, George
ID, Wilson, was leading, his step firm, his
form erect, but his hands firmly tied and
his face pale rs death What is itf''
some one asked in whisper, for his APP
peararee silencSd every one.
I'VE are to be executed Immediately"
was the appalling reply, given in low
tone, but with thrilling dis;inctness The
others followed him into the room, all
tied ready for the scafrold. The officers
were standing in the door, and barely
granted them the privilege Of taking us
once more by the hand before death
Then came the farewells, hopeless in this
world. II was moment that seemed an
age OF measureless, heart breaking sorrow
What had occurred in the other room
while we were separated The narrative
Of the ministers will make that plain
Rev. W. J. Scott was requested by Col.
G. J. Foreacre, then provost marshal in
Atlanta, to visit some Federal prisoners
at the city Jail who were about to die. On
his way Mr. Scott called on Rev George
G. n. MacDonel and asked him to 90
along. At the Jail they were taken into
the room where our comrades were.
Scott says: